Thanom referred to
Moose–Lowenstein report and its references to Thai volunteers. He asked
VP what effect this report would have
on Thai/U.S. relations. VP said he was
not too worried about this. Today’s Senate vote will cool somewhat ardor
of dovish elements in Congress. President is firmly committed to a
course of action in SEA and will do
whatever necessary to see it through. Thanom said he concerned because RTG has consistently maintained that, while it trains Lao
forces in Thailand, only volunteers from Thailand serve in Lao
forces.RTG concerned reports such as
this will give impression that RTA
forces are or will serve in Laos. VP said
some elements of the press have behaved irresponsibly but public opinion
surge he had described will discredit to some extent this kind of
sniping. However, we must not expect a cessation of anti-war activism in
U.S.

17.

On VP’s invitation to discuss priority
matters to be conveyed to President Nixon, Thanom said
insurgency situation in North, North-east, and South is worsening.
RTG is taking measures to suppress
insurgency and frustrate enemy’s effort to win over the people, but
continued U.S. assistance is needed. Dawee said priority needs are [Page 359]additional communications
equipment, helicopters, and wheeled armored vehicles. Often Government
forces know where enemy forces are but cannot get to them before they
disappear. Government forces often encounter land-mines. More
helicopters and armored vehicles would allow RTG forces to do better job and also boost their morale.
VP said President Nixon pleased with recent RTG action to suppress insurgency. He would
convey request for equipment.

18.

On narcotics question, Thanom
said Thai are deeply upset that Congressman Wolff is calling Thailand
the center of opium trade and belittling its suppression effort. Recent
NBC T.V. program used picture of
Deputy Chairman Prapass to imply he involved in opium traffic. Thais
very concerned about this. Drugs destroy lives of Thai youth too, and
they wish to eradicate this menace. William
A. Wanzeck and Jack Greene of BNDD being considered for Thai decorations for their role
in suppression activities. Allegations that Thais not cooperating
completely untrue as record of seizures and destruction of opium show.
Thanom asked VP to make statement reassuring U.S. public
on Thai effort. General Praphat
made several interjections during presentation, obviously intent that
VP understand seriousness with which
Thais view subject. VP said President
Nixon fully aware of Thai
cooperation in this field, had asked VP
to convey appreciation for efforts of Thai leaders. Some politicians use
this kind of attack as personal launching pad, and media sometimes
unfortunately support such efforts, as in case of misleading documentary
on Thailand. VP assured Thais such
criticism does not square with prevalent U.S. view of Thailand,
personally regretted incident and expressed willingness to state support
for Thais on this subject.

19.

Thanom said Thailand is taking
strong actions to eliminate opium traffic. Some of those caught have
been executed. RTG has program to help
hill tribes shift from opium to other crops. VP again gave recognition to Thai efforts, and said he knew
Wolff had tried to show that his recent intervention had produced
programs which in fact are result of long-standing cooperative
effort.

20.

Thanom asked VP to convey to President Nixon hope that President will continue
vigorous and determined policies in SEA
which are so important to morale of small countries making an effort to
maintain their independence and freedom. Thailand will continue to
defend its independence against communist attack, but needs military
assistance in form of equipment from U.S. Enemy is equipped with foreign
armaments, and as a developing country Thailand cannot afford equipment
needed to match enemy. Thailand wants to avoid being caught short, as
was GVN with NVN’s 130 mm
artillery.

21.

VP promised to convey this message to
President, added he will get information from Ambassador Unger to help refute false [Page 360]charges concerning narcotics. VP expressed thanks to Thais for speaking
frankly on all issues as friends can and should do.

22.

Thanom again thanked VP for visit, and President, VP and Secretary Rogers for their understanding of Thai problems. He
hoped President will appreciate that Thailand asks for assistance only
because it truly and urgently needed. VP
agreed to convey this message, said U.S. has no more dependable friend
in Asia than Thailand.

Agnew

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Conference Files, 1971–1972: Lot 73 D
323, Visit of Agnew to Asia. Secret; Immediate; Priority. Repeated to
Bangkok and Saigon. Printed from a copy with no transmittal time; a
handwritten notation at the top of page 1 reads “CINCPAC # 1822212 May 72,” and later
telegrams reference this number. However, no copy of CINCPAC 1822212 has been found.↩